Inside a sports arena in Culiacan, the capital of Sinaloa state, a small crowd gathered to watch young amateur boxers.

A Quiet Night Turned Tense in Culiacan

These children, dressed in oversized gloves and protective headgear, danced in the ring under bright lights. Outside the arena stood a bronze statue of boxing legend Julio César Chávez, one arm raised, frozen in victory—a constant reminder of the city’s pride. Chávez is a hero in this city, loved by all. But on this particular night, something felt different.

Julio César Chávez was supposed to be the special guest. The event was organized by one of his brothers. But “The Legend” didn’t show up. Everyone noticed.

Chávez’s absence came during a difficult time for his family. Just two days earlier, his eldest son, Julio César Chávez Jr., was arrested in Los Angeles by U.S. immigration agents. The arrest shocked fans in Mexico and beyond. According to U.S. officials, Chávez Jr. was accused of overstaying his visa and giving false information while applying for a green card. But there was more.

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What truly caused whispers and worried glances in Culiacan was a deeper accusation. U.S. officials revealed that there was already an arrest warrant in Mexico for Chávez Jr., related to alleged arms and drug trafficking. The Department of Homeland Security even mentioned suspected connections between him and the powerful Sinaloa Cartel. They also said Chávez Jr. would be processed for expedited removal from the United States.

Chávez Legacy Overshadowed by Cartel Allegations

In Culiacan, the name “Julio César Chávez” means something special. For many, he is more than a sports figure. People speak his name the same way Argentinians talk about Diego Maradona. He represents pride, strength, and success.

Chávez came from a humble neighborhood near train tracks. He worked hard, fought harder, and reached the very top of boxing. He became a national hero and a symbol of hope for the people of Sinaloa.

But when people talk about his son and the alleged cartel ties, the tone changes. Conversations become quiet. People look away.

There was a time in Culiacan when even the cartel was spoken of in hushed, coded language. Its control over the region was so strong that many residents believed silence brought safety. But things have changed. Since last year, a violent internal fight erupted within the Sinaloa Cartel. The tension grew worse after the reported abduction of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a cartel figure, to the U.S. by one of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán’s sons. That event caused deep unrest, and now, even mentioning the cartel feels dangerous.

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So when news broke that Chávez Jr. might have ties to the cartel, it added to the anxiety in the city.

Chávez Jr.’s Arrest Sends Ripples Through Culiacan’s Boxing Scene

At Friday night’s boxing event, many attendees were still talking about the arrest. But they did so quietly, not wanting to draw attention. Among them was Óscar Arrieta, a sports reporter from Culiacan who covers boxing. He said the news had shaken the local community.

What surprised him most was the way U.S. authorities connected Chávez Jr. to organized crime. No details were given beyond the claim that he married a U.S. citizen who is the mother of a granddaughter of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.

Arrieta wondered aloud why, if there was a Mexican arrest warrant issued back in 2023, the Mexican government didn’t take action earlier. Chávez Jr. had been living openly, training in California for a big upcoming fight. He was active on social media, seen often in public. Yet, no arrest happened until now.

Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, later said that Chávez Jr. had mostly been living in the United States since the warrant was issued.

Culiacan’s Gyms Go Quiet After Chávez Jr. Arrest

In Culiacan’s boxing gyms, the news hit hard. Training sessions were quieter than usual. Most fighters had already weighed in for their matches, but there was a feeling of tension in the air.

At one open-air gym, teenagers practiced quietly. They wrapped their wrists, bounced on their toes, and shadowboxed under the watchful eye of Jorge Romero, a former pro boxer. Romero trained under another Chávez brother and now coaches at the Sinaloa Autonomous University.

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Romero shared his thoughts carefully. He said he knows Chávez Jr. and called him “an excellent person, a great human being.” He believed the young boxer had truly focused on his training and was preparing well for his fight in California. Romero also said he fully supports Chávez Jr.

But when asked about the arrest and the cartel allegations, Romero’s tone shifted. He said those topics were too sensitive to discuss. “We don’t have anything to do with organized crime,” he said. “Boxing is a clean sport, very healthy from my point of view.”

Romero made it clear that boxing and crime are two different worlds in Culiacan.